Table 2.
main epidemiological and clinical characteristics of reported food allergies
| Age groups | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| < 5 years | 81 | (57,4%) |
| >5,6 years - 10,5 years | 37 | (26,2%) |
| 10,6 -15,5 years | 11 | (7,8 %) |
| >15,5 years | 12 | (8,5%) |
| Family Atopy | ||
| Occurence | 20 | (14,2%) |
| Not Documented | 121 | (85,8%) |
| Symptoms of the acute phase of the reaction | ||
| Acute Urticaria | 59 | (41,9%) |
| Chronic Urticaria | 2 | (1,4%) |
| Atopic dermatitis | 11 | (11,3%) |
| Facial Edema | 23 | (16,3%) |
| Lips and Tongue Edema | 21 | (14,9%) |
| Wheezing Dyspnea | 8 | (5,7%) |
| Diarrhea | 24 | (17%) |
| Hematochezia | 2 | (1,4%) |
| Vomiting | 42 | (29,8%) |
| Rhinitis | 10 | (7,1%) |
| Anaphylactic shock | 41 | (29,1%) |
| GOR | 12 | (8,5%) |
| Other* | 75 | (53,2%) |
| Treatment of the acute phase of the reaction | ||
| Antihistamines | 75 | (53,2%) |
| Corticosteroids | 64 | (45,4%) |
| Adrenalin | 26 | (18,4%) |
| Allergen avoidance | 52 | (36,9%) |
| Other** | 70 | (49,6%) |
*
The other manifestations are isolated symptoms or the combination of several symptoms (cough, fever, eczema, celiac, etc.) which are typical and/or atypical of allergies, and which may be influenced by other physiological factors. ** For the 49.6% of the other cases, other treatments were prescribed such as antidiarrhea, PPIs and, in a few cases, hydrolyzed rice or soy milk instead of artificial milk or cow's milk.